Reptile & Amphibian Forums

The lower part of one of my baby veiled chameleon's tail is turning black and seems as if something had been eating it.
It has got miniscule spots of blood.

what could this be? some other animal bit him?
a disease, virus, bateria???

I had never seen this.

thanks for your help.

I assume you are roaming crickets in the cage?
If thats an affirmative, the crickets may me gnawing on your cham. You may want to cut your feedings in half, but feed twice a day. Just so you don't get any crickets that are roaming. (or cup feeding)

OR

Maybe some shed skin didn't come off, and is strangling the growing tail. It will turn black, and then eventually fall off. (if thats the case)

OR

If you have a bad bacteria buildup in the cage, he may have gotten an infection or disease of some kind. It would most likely effect the tail and feet.. (check the feet our closely..just to make sure.
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Joe
- www.silkwormfarm.com

Hey Joe thanks for your reply.

No, it is not the crickets and it is not the skin shed.

I really dont see why bacteria would biuldup, but I am going to check the feet closely (although I did not see anything unusual when I checked them).

By the way I am looking forward to those silkworms!!!

Even if you keep your cage clean, there's still a lot of bacteria that builds up on a daily basis.. Moisture/Shed-Skin/Excrement is the culprit.

Your cham could have rubbed up against something that broke the skin, and then the bacteria hits an open wound.. whammo.

I am just totally guessing on this on.

Hit the tail with some neosporin.. If it the sick skin doesn't get better, or gets worse, time for a vet. (I would have a vet look at it anyway, just to be safe)

I'm glad you are looking forward to the Silkies.. I am too.
It's always fun solving a few problems now and again.
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Joe
- www.silkwormfarm.com

Is there any way the tail could be injured? Maybe it was stuck between two branches or something bit it or fell on it, but that would probably explain it if the other factors mentioned aren't possible.
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Got hips like Cinderella / Must be having a good shame / Talking sweet about nothing / Cookie I think you're Tame